The head of the National Center for Animal Health in the Libyan government, Mohamed Al-Aqab, announced the registration of cases of lumpy skin disease in several cattle farms in the city of Benghazi, noting that the number of infections reached 37 heads distributed across three foci in the Al-Talihiya area, with three deaths recorded so far.

Al-Aqab explained that the competent authorities have taken urgent measures to limit the spread of the disease, including imposing a quarantine on about 1,400 heads of cattle, preventing movement in and out of the affected areas except for authorized personnel, in addition to carrying out extensive disinfection operations and providing necessary treatments for infected cases.

  • Al-Aqab: A quarantine was imposed on about 1,400 heads of cattle

He pointed out that the number of cattle in contact with the infected cases reached 196 heads, stressing that the situation remains under control thanks to the rapid intervention and precautionary measures taken since the first foci were discovered.

  • Al-Aqab: More than 71,000 vaccine doses have been provided and distributed to various areas

He added that the center launched a national campaign to vaccinate cattle, providing more than 71,000 vaccine doses distributed to various areas, with 1,133 heads vaccinated so far in the Al-Talihiya area alone.

  • Al-Aqab: Some infections are from African breed cattle smuggled across the southern borders

He noted that some infections are from African breed cattle smuggled across the southern borders, despite the ban on their import due to the spread of diseases in those countries, reflecting the danger of smuggling to livestock.

Al-Aqab confirmed that lumpy skin disease is a viral infectious disease that spreads rapidly among cattle, but it does not transmit to humans, despite its negative impact on the national economy if its spread worsens.

  • Al-Aqab: The need to support the National Center for Animal Health

He called on relevant authorities to support the National Center for Animal Health by providing the necessary resources and financial allocations, noting that employees have not received their salaries for about ten months, which may affect the continuity of disease control efforts.

Benghazi

Benghazi is a major port city in eastern Libya with a rich history dating back to ancient Greek times, when it was known as Euesperides. It later became a key Roman and Byzantine settlement before flourishing under Ottoman rule and serving as a vital cultural and economic hub in North Africa. In modern history, Benghazi was a focal point of the 2011 Libyan revolution against Muammar Gaddafi and has since faced significant challenges, including political instability and conflict.

Al-Talihiya

Al-Talihiya is a traditional neighborhood in the city of Manama, Bahrain, known for its historic architecture and cultural heritage. The area dates back to the early 20th century and features narrow alleyways, old Bahraini houses, and local markets that reflect the country’s pre-oil era lifestyle. Today, it is a popular destination for visitors interested in exploring Bahrain’s history and traditional urban fabric.